Does the use of nasal spray break or invalidate fasting?

Answer

Nasal spray which is used by patients who suffer from asthma contains liquids and other chemical substances. It works by pressing on it and inhaling. Thus, droplets enter via pharynx to reach bronchus. However, small amounts of these droplets could remain in pharynx and then reach the esophagus.

Muslim scholars agreed that it is allowed to use it by a fasting Muslim when necessary. However, they disagree on its effects on fasting whether it invalidates fasting or not.

• The first school sees that the use of nasal spray invalidates the fast. Whoever uses it should prevent themselves from eating or drinking till sunset as they do not need to eat or drink. In addition, they should make that day up later.
• The second school sees that the use of nasal spray does not invalidate the fast as this medicine does not reach to the oral cavity. They depend on the following analysis:

1. This treatment is used to widen bronchus and it reaches the lungs not the stomach. Thus, it is not like foods or drinks.
2. It is allowed for a fasting Muslim to rinse and sniff while fasting. It is known that very little water remains in the mouth; and thus, it could reach the stomach with saliva. We were not strongly ordered to spit the water that enters out mouths during mouth-wash. Similarly, these droplets of the nasal spray are very few. The one spray is only 1/20 mm; i.e. less than one drop. Most of such spray goes to the respiratory and a very small amount could stay in the pharynx. In the light of this analogy, if what remains after mouth-wash does not break the fast, what remains after one spray of the nasal spray does not break the fast either.
3. It is not assured that any droplets could reach the stomach. It is only doubtful. Therefore, what is taken into consideration to be a reason to invalidate the fast is certain things not the uncertain ones.
4. It is allowed to use Sewak (tooth cleanser) when fasting, and none denies that. Scientists say that Sewak contains certain substances that could interact with the saliva and thus reach the stomach. Nevertheless, they do not say it invalidates the fast.

It is quite hardship to ask a Muslim who uses this nasal spray to not eat or drink till sunset and then to make the day up. Allah says: “He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islamic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion of Islam) and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship.” Al-Hajj: 78. He also says: “Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.”  Al-Baqarah: 185. Thus, there is no evidence to ask a patient to fast in Ramadan and make up the same day later.